What is a groin strain?

Groin strains are in fact injuries you can suffer by pulling the muscles in the groin. These are a form of muscle strain which can be very serious and will require medical care.

Your muscles contain hundreds of thousands of tiny fibers that are interwoven throughout. It is these fibers stretching and rubbing against each other which allows the body to move.

When you overuse a muscle, it is when the strands of muscle fiber are stretched beyond the breaking point and they tear apart. You've probably tried to use an old bungee cord to hold something in place at some point and seen what happens.

Fresh bungee cords, like healthy muscle fibers, stretch a lot. But if you're using bungee cords for too long or suddenly jerk on them too hard, the elastic fibers in the bungee cord start to pull apart. It's exactly the same way in your muscles; strains happen when fibers in your muscles are pulled beyond their limit and tear.

The muscles that link your lower abdomen to your thighs comprise three groups which make up your groin. These include the following:

• Lower abdominal muscles- your lower abs.
• Iliopsoas muscles are the muscles that join your spine to your hips and legs.
• Adductor muscles-six muscles in your hips and thighs.

Types of groin strains:

Healthcare providers classify muscle strains, including groin strains, with grades about how serious they are:

Grade 1-mild

Grade 2-moderate

Grade 3-severe.

How common is a groin strain?

Muscle strains are relatively common injuries, especially among athletes. Groin strains are among the most common.

What are the symptoms of a groin strain?

The main symptoms of a groin strain are:

• Pain.
• You cannot move your leg or hip.
• Muscle weakness.
• Bruising or discoloration.
• Swelling
• Muscle spasms.

What does a groin strain feel like?

Typically, you will know that you have strained your groin because the area will feel sharp and may twinge, especially in those first moments following your injury. You might feel sharp pangs of pain each time your injured muscle twitches if you have muscle spasms.

What do groin strains cause?

• Groin strains occur when you stretch a muscle in your groin sufficiently for it to tear or become damaged.
• Sports-related injuries are the most common cause of groin strains.
• Repetitive strain injuries (doctors sometimes use these terms interchangeably, referring to them as microtraumas).
• A direct blow to your groin.

What are the risk factors for groin strain?

Groin strain can occur in anyone. Even if you don't engage in sports or work out frequently, you can still suffer from a groin strain, mainly if you suddenly use yourself a lot more than you usually do.

Groin strains are much more common among athletes, particularly those playing sports that require sudden stops, directional changes, or twisting. Some of the most common sports that result in groin strains include:

• Ice hockey.
• Soccer.
• Football.
• Basketball.

How are groin strains diagnosed?

A doctor may diagnose a groin strain based on a physical exam. They will observe your groin muscles and ask you several questions. Tell your provider what you were doing at the time right before when you first had the pain or other symptoms.

What tests do doctors use to diagnose groin strains?

Your doctor may perform one or both of the following image tests to make a diagnosis of a groin strain:

• Ultrasound: An ultrasound scan will be utilized to find tears or fluid accumulation surrounding your strained muscle and a linked tendon.
• X-rays: X-rays allow your provider to see if the injury that has strained your groin damaged any of the bones in or around your groin.
• MRI: An MRI allows your provider to see breaks in muscles or tendons, bone fractures or broken bones, or internal bleeding.

You can treat most groin strains from home by following the RICE method:

• Rest: Rest from the activity that caused the strain to avoid further damaging your muscles.
• Ice: Apply ice on or around your injury with an ice pack or a cold compress for 10 to 15 minutes an hour the first day after your injury. During the passing of day one, you may use ice every three to four hours. Never put ice directly on your skin. Use the ice pack with a towel or washcloth between it and your skin.
• Compression: Compression reduces blood flow to your injured muscle and relieves swelling. Use a compression bandage or wrap around your thigh. You can also wear compression shorts or pants to help keep pressure on your strained muscles.
• Elevation: Lift your leg and lower body above the level of your heart. Support your leg with pillows, blankets, or cushions.

In most cases, the affected person will first be forced to walk or move around using crutches or a walker for some days since they cannot do it without risking his life.

Groin strain surgery:

Surgery to treat a groin strain is rarely necessary. In cases of grade 3, surgery is commonly needed to rebuild a partially or entirely torn muscle. If your torn tendons and ligaments are severely pulled off the bone, then you might be subjected to surgery that puts them back in place. Your provider will let you know what surgery you need and what you can expect.

What are over-the-counter medications for groin strains?

You may need your provider to prescribe ibuprofen, naproxen, or several other medications to help you feel better and reduce pain and swelling while you heal. Only take NSAIDs for up to 10 days in a row by talking to your provider.

Depending on what your symptoms are, your doctor will advise you to take some of the following medicines:

How do I avoid a groin strain?

The best way to prevent groin strains is to constantly stretch and warm up before exercising or playing a sport. Raising your overall flexibility will also protect your muscles from injuries. Generally speaking, the more flexible you are, the further the muscle fibers may be stretched before tearing.

Once your muscle heals and is given proper care, you should be able to regain full strength and capacity to move.

It is rare, but some people who sustain severe groin strains suffer from permanent consequences such as muscle weakness or a shortened range of motion - or how far you can move.

How long does it take to recover from a groin strain?

How long does a groin strain last? That depends on the degree of the original injury. For most individuals with a mild or moderate groin strain (grade 1 or grade 2), it can be one month or two.

It may take months to heal for severe groin strains (grade 3) and chronic strains (straining the same muscle multiple times).

Living With

When should I see my healthcare provider?

See your doctor immediately if you experience symptoms such as sharp pain in your groin area.

If pain continues, even after weeks of self-treatment as an outpatient for a groin pull, see your doctor.

To seek an expert consultation for any orthopedic condition.

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